Between subjects real time FMRI interaction: a platform to study interpersonal feedback loop during motor learning

• Grant number: 11/50168-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2011
• End date: April 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Radiology
• Agreement: University of Surrey
• Principal Investigator: Edson Amaro Junior
• Grantee: Edson Amaro Junior
• Principal researcher abroad: Adam McNamara
• Institution abroad: University of Surrey, England
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Patients with epilepsy treated with anticonvulsants drugs present motor slowing and cognitive and motor coordination deficits. These patients have motor learning difficulties the etiology of which could be either the epilepsy itself or the anticonvulsant drugs. Imitation is the fundamental cognitive ability that enables observational learning and the acquisition of a multitude of skills without an exhaustive trial and error approach. Patients with epilepsy may have a diminished learning capacity as result of this motor system impairment. This issue has not yet been specifically investigated and combined with our increasing knowledge in regard to epilepsy we may be able to illuminate the natural workings of this fundamental cognitive skill. When attempting to execute a new motor pattern by imitation, the observed action is coded in elementary motor acts that activate the corresponding motor representation. This subthreshold activation is termed 'motor resonance' and is said to 'embody' or 'mirror' the observed action within the motor system of the observer. Once activated, these motor representations are recombined, accordingly with the observed model, by the prefrontal cortex. Patients with epilepsy, specifically those with Rolandic epilepsy, may have this process altered. In this project we will investigate motor learning via realtime subject interaction using hyperscanning fMRI technique... (AU)